Image consultant helps people unlock the confidence of color

Ever feel like your wardrobe isn’t quite right but don’t know why? Does it take forever to decide what to wear? Do you struggle to pick out makeup colors?

Kate Belland may have the answer.

The Williamsburg elementary teacher and mom became an image consultant for House of Color in October of 2022. This United Kingdom-based business specializes in training consultants who help women and men learn what clothing colors complement them. In turn, this assists them in building the ideal wardrobe and choosing accessories and makeup to enhance their best professional and personal appearance.

“House of Colour has been in the U.S. for 10 to 15 years,” Belland says. “It started in the UK about 35 years ago.”

She became interested in the process while following a woman on social media who posted about how color analysis could not only make people look better, but feel more confident as well. Intrigued, Belland went to Des Moines to have her colors done. Her enthusiasm for the process and its outcome led her to complete the required training to open her own consulting business. She is currently the only active House of Colour representative in eastern Iowa.

Finding your season

Belland uses a color analysis process to determine if a client has yellow or blue skin tones. With that information, she determines their calendar season. Yellow-based skin tones are autumn and spring, while blue-based skin tones are winter and summer.

Once a season is determined, she helps clients explore the range of colors within that season. Large swatches of colored fabrics called drapes allow her to determine which colors look best with a client’s skin tones. Those who fall into autumn and summer generally look best in slightly muted colors, while those in spring or winter categories may favor brighter hues.

“Your season never changes,” Belland points out. “You’ll be that season your whole life.”

Just because a person has a favorite color, that doesn’t mean it’s the right color for them to wear, she notes. However, there are many different shades of each color and finding the right ones are key to feeling empowered and confident in your clothing choices, she says.

It’s not just clothing color. A complete color analysis leaves the client with an understanding of how jewelry and even jeans and hair color — including highlights and lowlights — can make them look their best, regardless of age.

Having this knowledge gives clients better direction when shopping for clothing. It helps eliminate buying things that aren’t complementary even though they may have seemed like a good fashion choice at the time.

“We all have those clothes we look at and wonder ‘Why did I buy this?’ Even if it fits and is stylish, the color may be the problem,” Belland explains. Having one’s colors done helps people become more selective when shopping for clothing.

“They’re buying less because they know what they want,” she explains. “They’re cutting down on spending as well as having an increased sense of confidence, knowing they look good. And eliminating the things that don’t work makes getting dressed in the morning easier.”

A makeup consultation, called “90 second makeup,” is also part of the experience, with foundation, mascara and lip colors specific to each season. Belland has those products for sale at her home or they can be ordered from the House of Colors website.

An opportunity to teach

Belland has been a first grade teacher at Mary Welsh Elementary, Williamsburg, for about 15 years. Since she works days, she limits House of Colour bookings in her home studio to the weekends. Her new venture has received a warm welcome from Williamsburg and surrounding communities.

“I have about 50 clients so far,” she notes, adding she is booked into March.

She’s had both men and women come to her, ranging in age from eight to 80, and including some of her former students. Showing them how color can enhance their lives is rewarding.

“I love teaching,” she says, “and this is another opportunity to teach.”

A typical analysis session lasts about an hour and a half. Before and after photos can show the impact of correct wardrobe and makeup colors. When it’s over, a client leaves with a color fan showing a multitude of hues that fall within the parameters of her specific palette, information offering ideas for selecting jewelry and building a wardrobe and the invitation to join a Facebook group with other House of Colour clients. Belland will also provide color suggestions for a client to share with their hair stylist. Once the session ends, she remains available for follow up questions and assistance.

Pricing ranges from $245 per person for two or more people to $275 for an individual session. Gift certificates are available.

“Group sessions are great because you get to see how the process works on other people,” Belland says.

Future services

After additional training this summer, Belland looks forward to being able to help clients discover their “clothing personality,” which can further enhance the benefits of a color analysis. A style consultation will focus on the types of clothing a client likes, including points such as fabric patterns, size of accessories, types of jeans and handbags and other wardrobe details.

An additional aspect of the clothing personality evaluation includes a “closet edit.” While this may sound daunting, Belland assures the garment by garment evaluation can eliminate both uncomplimentary colors and styles, while leaving the client with more room for clothing that shows him or her at their best.

Belland and her husband, Blair, who owns Belland Plumbing and Heating, have two daughters, Kinley, 11, and Charlotte, 7, and one son, Dallas, 3.

She can be reached via social media on Facebook or Instagram or via email to kate.belland@houseofcolour.com.

Comments: Melinda.Wichmann@southeastiowaunion.com